Sri Lanka’s government refuted former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s accusation that the government has removed 59 army camps during its tenure since January.
Highways minister and UNP general secretary Kabeer Hashim said it was Mahinda Rajapaksa who ordered the removal of several camps and the release of land, and not the present government. He said the former president insulted the country’s security forces by implying an LTTE resurgence.
"Rajapaksa is saying that 59 camps have been removed from the North by the current administration. We urge him to stop lying. All the camps were removed during Rajapaksa's time. In addition, of the 11 000 acres taken over by the security forces over 5000 acres were released during Rajapaksa's time. Not only that Rajapaksa ordered the removal of the Army camp in Sampur," Mr Hashim said
Mr Rajapaksa “accused” the government of dismantling the camps in a letter addressed to the 'Bring Back Mahinda Rally' in Matara in southern Sri Lanka, adding that he was “shocked” by the development.
The former president said the present government is compromising on national security by suggesting the release of former LTTE members, and holding discussions with people like former Norwegian peace envoy, Erik Solheim, who, he alleged, is trying to “revive Tamil separatism”.
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